Father's Day Memories

I don't usually post on the weekends, but I just had to this time.

Even before they were born, Art planned our moving to Chicago from Hawaii because it would be difficult for me to stay home when the children were young. Hawaii was an expensive place to live back then as well.

After each child arrived, he set up a portion of his pay to go directly into a Savings Bond program to make sure their college education would be paid even while we counted our pennies.

I should also note again that Art did deliver Keola himself when we didn't make it to the delivery room on time.

Art was there for all their activities, driving to far locations for swim meets, coaching Keola's baseball team, volunteering with the PTA, etc.

He taught the kids to cherish and protect the environment. (Art did work for the E.P.A) He took them traveling to broaden the scope of their understanding of places and people, first around the U.S. and then to Europe and Japan.

He flew to Africa to visit Keola when he joined the Peace Corps and climbed Kilimanjaro with him.

Art wrote letters to Keola every day while he was in Mali. I was pretty amazed since Art does not really like to write letters.

When he walked Tiffany down the aisle, it was actually quite difficult for him to let go because he felt nobody could come close to deserving his precious daughter. Luckily, as he got to know our son-in-law, he agreed that as always, our daughter had made the best decision.

From the time they were born, Art has watched their every step with happiness and pride, sometimes pain at their sad moments, chagrin at their missteps, but always, always with love.

And they know. They know their father will drop everything to help if they need it. They know he'll always be there in spirit if not in presence.

So to all you fabulous fathers out there, here's wishing you a truly memorable day with thanks for your devotion and above all, love.